California Grill

We made reservations at California Grill at the Contemporary specifically to see the fireworks from the rooftop. We requested a window seat prior to our reservation and were accommodated. Our server, Mark was kind, courteous and made great recommendations. He never let our glasses go empty and was personable throughout our whole dining experience. When the magic kingdom fireworks began, he held our entrees so that we were able to go outside to enjoy them. About half way through the fireworks display we came back inside and he was prompt to ensure our meals came out. Every bit of this experience was nothing less than perfect! We will be back!

Six Stars If I Could! From the moment we arrived until the very last bite of dessert, our experience was nothing short of extraordinary. I wasn’t just pleased, I was absolutely blown away by the quality of the food, the impeccable service, and the stunning atmosphere. This meal now stands as the gold standard by which I’ll judge all future dining experiences. Every course was a standout. We began with the Farmers Market Salad, which was easily the best I’ve ever had, fresh, vibrant, and incredibly unique in its flavor profile. For the main course, I chose the Oak-Grilled Filet of Beef, and it was divine. The meat was so tender, my knife felt almost unnecessary. Each bite melted in my mouth. And to end the evening on a sweet note, the Pistachio Chocolate Mousse was both rich and refined—a perfect balance of flavor and texture. A huge part of our memorable evening was thanks to Mark, our server. He was friendly, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable. He offered honest recommendations, which I followed to the letter, and every suggestion was spot on. His service elevated the night and made us feel genuinely taken care of. The setting of the restaurant is just as impressive as the meal itself. Located on the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, it boasts what I believe are the best views in all of Walt Disney World. Guests who dine here are welcome to stay, or return later, to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the outdoor viewing deck, which offers a breathtaking perspective. A quick note for future diners: reservations are essential. Access to the restaurant is exclusive; you check in on the 2nd floor and are then escorted up via a private elevator with an attendant. It adds an extra layer of elegance and makes the entire experience feel even more special. If I could give this place six stars, I would. Truly unforgettable.

This was a last minute experience for me. I was able to book a reservation 2 hours before. I did see there were no reservations available so I called. It was confirmed a reservation is needed as no walk in is available. We checked in at the gate entering the Contemporary Resort. The front desk instructed us where to go to check in. We checked in and were told to wait at the elevator. A hostess was in the elevator and took us up to the restaurant. We checked in with the hostess and were taken to our table. The view was beautiful. Our reservation was at 7:30 so we made out in time for the sunset. The waitress was so polite and helped us make a choice on the menu. They were celebrating their 75th anniversary I believe so it was a sweet menu with appetizer, main course and dessert. The food was superb! The steak was so soft and very flavorful. We were able to watch the fireworks at Magic Kingdom from our table. They do offer balcony viewing as well, so that is in option if you do not want to be inside. The restaurant does play the sound and music from the castle and fireworks show. I really enjoyed that detail. I woo definitely be coming back and loved everything they had to offer

Considering this restaurant is supposed to be a signature experience, it was really quite underwhelming. The food was mostly fine with the exception of the sushi which was excellent. The filet of beef was nothing special and I've certainly had better cuts of steak elsewhere on Disney property, I wouldn't recommend it here. Aside from the food, the service was disappointing. Everything was quite slow and delayed and our server was rather inattentive. I won't say the service was bad, but for what this restaurant is billed as, my expectations were definitely higher. We've gotten better service at any number of other Disney restaurants that certainly cost far less. Of course, one of the big things you're paying for here is the firework view. There's honestly no other reason to dine at this restaurant. It certainly has the best MK firework views of any restaurant.

Very enjoyable dinner here. 3 course meal for ~$90 each. Great views of Magic Kingdom. We also watched the fireworks display from the observation deck outside the restaurant on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Resort.

We had a truly wonderful dinner last night! The food was excellent – every dish we tried was exquisite, and since we were a large group, I was able to capture photos of several of the tempting creations. Our server, Zoe, originally from New York City but a Florida resident for 15 years, was absolutely amazing. She was attentive, friendly, and truly made our experience special. Everything about the meal deserved four stars, with one minor exception. The atmosphere, while vibrant, was a bit too noisy for my liking. The combined chatter from the other tables, along with the activity from the open kitchen, made it difficult for me to hear my companions, even with my hearing aids. It's a small detail, and probably wouldn't bother most people, but it did slightly impact my enjoyment. For that reason, I'd give the atmosphere three stars. I also want to commend the restaurant for their handling of a serious food allergy in our party. One of our guests has a life-threatening allergy to bananas and avocados. From the moment we mentioned it, the staff took the allergy extremely seriously, which was incredibly reassuring. Their attentiveness and care were truly appreciated. Aside from the noise level, everything else about our dining experience was as perfect as could be.

Let’s start with the atmosphere it is amazing! Our waiter was perfect he was so nice and attentive. We ordered all of our stuff but we got to see the fireworks first because the restaurant has an amazing view and they timed it so when we got back our food would almost be ready. When we got back from the fireworks our table was decorated with cute Mickey Mouse confetti everywhere. I got filet with potatoes and Mac and cheese and let me say everything was cooked to perfection and had so much flavor. I also got a Shirley temple and it was so good! For dessert I got a chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich and it was to die for. Absolutely amazing. Since it was my parents anniversary they gave them a chocolate and raspberry dessert. We always come back here every time we go to Disney because it is just amazing!

This is a great family friendly restaurant. Also ideal for date night, if you’re trying to impress someone. I’ve been coming here since 2022 and I will say the best time to come here would be at 7:30 PM…at 9:00 PM they do the fireworks. You can’t just walk into the place though, you need to make a reservation a head of time. When making the reservation ask the staff to seat you down on a table that has a good firework view ahead. This way you’ll be guaranteed to get a great seat and not have to move when the firework show starts. They always switch their MENU… so I can’t comment on what’s the best thing here but I usually like to eat steak. They used to have ribeye that was amazing but they got rid of that but if you are a steak person you’ll love the steak here. Also appetizers are amazing and deserts are delicious. When you order you pay $90 person at least that’s what we paid right now. Might be different in future. And you get 3 courses in that… appetizer, main course and desert. I personally think it’s worth the money. The staff are amazing here, and they are extremely friendly. They always take care of their customers well. So I will recommend this place 100%.

I was really skeptical as Disney can be a hit or miss. It's expensive too. Some gripe, and then onto the amazing experience overall: In the two weeks since we booked they raised prices (it's a pre-fix menu) per person, including for kids. Would have been nice to tell us that. We would still be fine to pay an extra $40, ($10 per person) but it's just courtesy they should extend to say something if someone wasn't. Overall a great experience. Our server, Dale, was tremendous. Extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and most important in this type of experience handles kids amazing. He is worth requesting for sure. Food was terrific. I had the pork two ways (belly and tenderloin) which was out of this world. Dessert offerings were amazing. I didn't want chocolate but my wife said it was an amazing dessert. I did the caramel one and just wowed! They also let you come back up for fireworks with your receipt. It has the best view of the Magic Kingdom Fireworks if you aren't in the park itself. You're high up and they have a safe large rooftop area to watch. Highly recommend.

Ambiance: fantastic venue on the top floor of the contemporary hotel. We had a late reservation so we were able to view the fireworks. Service: from the time we checked in to the time we finished our dinner we had excellent service. The check-in process was easy and straightforward with us being notified via text when our table was ready after the initial check-in text confirmation. We had excellent table service from Yaseen and others who aided him with bringing our dishes to the table. Food: the food was exemplary. This is the first time we have eaten at California Grill with the prefixed menu, which has been in place since the 50th anniversary of Disney World about three years ago. The choices were excellent and difficult to decide between. Two members of our party had Sushi, which was outstanding. The other two had the goat cheese Stuffed pasta. The different flavors, combining the goat cheese and then the roasted mushroom ragout and then the broth which had a faint taste of fennel was really great. Used the sourdough bread to sop up the broth. The sourdough bread is served at the beginning of the meal with butter and and olive/tomato/olive oil tampanade. And they will quickly bring extra bread if needed. Very nice. Three members of our party had the fish of the day which was a halibut that was beautifully plated, perfectly cooked, not overcooked at all. The sides as described on the menu were all delicious. And I had the scallops which were also outstanding. Again the accompaniments to the scallops really brought the dish to be over-the-top delicious and unusual. For desserts, among us, we had the lemon mousse and poppyseed cake, chocolate hazelnut torte, and apple spice cake with caramel. Yessine our server told us that the Apple spice cake with caramel was his favorite and that one was definitely the best in my opinion. But the other two desserts were also exceptional, depending on what your taste are for that meal. We had a wonderful experience. It was worth every penny. Wine and drink selection is extensive or you can order wine flights with a meal.

I will just start by telling you the parts you want to know... The food was incredible. Some of the best I have ever had. The service was better than most 4 star restaurants. The prices were obscene. Truly obnoxious. Was it worth it? Yup. This is a Disney Resort Restaurant. IYKYK Oftentimes "real world" logic doesn't apply at these places in terms of price, quality, and reviews. The restaurant overlooks the Magic Kingdom and the lake. It has an observation deck for the purpose of viewing the fireworks and the boats and other cool happenings on the lake. The view is spectacular and noteworthy. Some friends suggested we go to this place with them. I would like to return sometime after I save up enough money. The restaurant is nice and quieter than most resort restaurants. The view is great! Ron, our server was absolutely amazing. One of the best. For a flat rate of $89 you can have a three course meal which is a steal. There is for a $70 fee an add-on. You may try three wines paired exclusively to your meal options. Drinks are extra of course and they add up quickly. We drank and dined with reckless abandon. We enjoyed the wonderful service, the world class food experience, and we felt like kids watching the fireworks. I won't say what the four of us spent but it was under a thousand dollars. Barely.

I've been going to Disney World for many years, and this is the first time that I finally eat at the California Grill on the rooftop of the Contemporary Resort. I must say we had an amazing experience. We made an 8 PM reservation, which allows us to take the elevator up to the roof approximately 7:45 PM, and make our way to their outdoor terrace in time to see the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom ... Wow!!! After the fireworks, we were paged that our table was ready, then sat by a very friendly staff member and promptly met by our server Reggie, who was friendly, very helpful and very knowledgeable. It's a set three-course menu for $90 per person, with many delicious options. The filet mignon was delicious, as were the pan-seared pork medallions. My wife had a delicious martini, and I had one of the best old-fashioned cocktails that I've ever had. The food, the ambience, the service, the rooftop view ... it was all spectacular and magical! Highly recommend this experience!

This was definitely the best meal I had during my latest trip to Disney World and that's saying a lot given all of the great food I had there. Just like Toledo, the location of this amazing restaurant and its insane views facing the Magic Kingdom and the totally open space makes the ambiance even more amazing. The prix fixe menu options were all delicious. The highlights of the meal were the awesome eel rolls, tender steaks and the desserts were absolutely fabulous. Even the chicken noodle soup was top notch. There are no real drawbacks here. The service was extremely professional (you can tell they treat this place as a real signature Disney dining experience) and everything about the pacing of the meal was well structured. I really enjoyed watching the sunset during dinner and totally just taking in the real awesomeness of being at one of the best Disney restaurants out there. It's located at the Contemporary so it's a fairly easy ride here via Monorail. There's plenty of other ways to get here either by boat or by bus or by car obviously depending on where you are staying. All in, this should be a top consideration for "must-eats" at Disney.

This will be the first part of many of the multiple bad experiences I've had on my honeymoon with Disneyworld dining. First, the view is great. No issues there. If you dine there during the day, you can come back to the observation deck. I booked our reservation for 7:30PM so we could catch the fireworks mid-meal. I checked in exactly 20 minutes prior on the app, and we got seated after 7:30PM. Once we were checked in upstairs, the couple that checked in behind us got a massive booth and we got sat in a cramped two person table. Our server was curt and did his job, for the most part. In addition to the three course prix fixe meal ($89/person), we also got the wine pairing (additional $72/person). We finally placed our order and got our first wine pairing when everyone got up to watch the fireworks at 8PM. My husband ordered the raviolo (app), fish seasonal (halibut with risotto - entree), and apple spiced cake (dessert). I ordered the surf n turf, scallop, and chocolate torte. Our server told us that we could go out to the observation deck to watch the fireworks, then come back to eat. When we came back, our appetizers came out immediately. The raviolo was a tad pungent. If you like truffles and strong goat cheese, you'll like this, though. My surf n turf roll was just okay. My mistake for getting sushi outside of California. Decent enough tasting supermarket-like sushi. Now, the multitude of issues. I was sitting by the windows facing the open kitchen. Right after we got our appetizer, I saw a server walking over to us with our entrees, look confused at the appetizers on our table, and turn back around to confer with the other employees/chefs. They just put our entrees somewhere, presumably on a warming tray. Lo and behold, when we got our entrees, the plates were warm and the food was extremely lukewarm. Disappointing that they just put our food on a warming tray because they didn't time it correctly. Wine pairings were decent across the three courses. Now, the scallops were actually decent and I enjoyed the braised daikon with the black garlic brussel sprouts. My husband's halibut was flavored on the top, but extremely dry in the middle, as it was a thicker piece. The risotto was decently good too. Our server asked me if I was done with my entree immediately after my husband got up to go to the bathroom. To my dismay, he immediately cleared the whole table (including the bread that I was still picking on), and brought over the desserts with no explanation all before my husband came back. He put the chocolate torte in my husband's spot, and the 'apple cake' in front of me and left to grab the wine pairing. When my husband came back from the restroom, the server came back to to give our wine pairings. At that point, my husband realized that the 'apple cake' was in fact white chocolate mousse. We told our server that he brought the wrong dessert and he seemed very flustered. I told him that we hadn't touched it yet so he could take it since he seemed very frustrated. He 'let us' keep it even though I told him we hadn't touched it. Not only did he not admit his mistake, but he took the listed dessert off the receipt, which to me shows that it was in fact the apple cake like we ordered, but he just brought the incorrect item. Seemed like he wanted to avoid having to acknowledge his mistake. No apologies, no acknowledgement. The icing on the cake was when he gave free champagne and a plate of chocolate truffles to the couple right next to us. Not to mention, we didn't get any acknowledgement or mention of our honeymoon whatsoever from our server. And did I mention the seats are so close that you can hear the whole conversation next to you? For the price we spent, it was extremely underwhelming. Poor service, okay food for the price. One and done.

If you're looking for an amazing place to enjoy brunch or dinner at Disney World and want to splurge, check out California Grill at the Contemporary Resort. My wife and I have dined here many times, and we seriously consider it one of Disney's best sit-down restaurants. I've also dined here solo and yes it is still awesome! The views of Magic Kingdom are just amazing, especially during the evening when the park lights up--perfect for snapping some great pics! The atmosphere is so relaxed and welcoming. The staff is super friendly and really makes an effort to ensure you have a great experience. I even got a spare shirt since I wore a tank top--how cool is that? The steak, pork and sushi dishes are my favorite. The brunch menu is amazing! The fresh sushi I had was beautifully presented. One of the best parts about dining here is the opportunity to come back later to watch the fireworks from their viewing deck. Save your receipt. California Grill is a remarkable dinning destination for those seeking an elite dining experience at Disney World. With amazing views, fantastic service, and meticulously crafted dishes, it captures the essence of fine dining in a magical setting. Highly recommended but ensure to make advance dinning reservations. We were lucky once and walked on for brunch without a reservation but hope should not be plan when wanting to dine here.

My husband and I are Annual Passholders that are making our way dining around at Disney World. So when I decided that I would celebrate my birthday at Disney this year, we chose to have dinner at California Grill as it's on our list of places to go. You cannot beat the view and next time we'd try to get a later reservation and stay for the fireworks. The menu is a 3 course menu with options for appetizer, entree, and dessert. We didn't realize this when the reservation was made so we also ordered a celebration cake (which we were too full to dig into, but it made for some good pictures). We started out with sushi rolls - surf and turf and tempura mane - which were excellent. Then we decided to try the scallops and the filet. The scallops were good, but the filet was pretty much inedible. The desserts, which was a caramel mousse and apple spices cake and a chocolate-hazelnut tort, were also very good. My husband would definitely be giving this place 3 vs 4 stars because of the filet. But I feel like this was fairly compensated as they did not charge us for the celebration cake. I would go back, but definitely hesitant on ordering the filet or any steak from the menu.

Absolutely incredible, completely magical experience! Delicious food, fabulous service, unforgettable view. The California Grill is located on the top of Disney's Contemporary Resort. Reservations are a must and are totally worth the hassle. The menu is a pre-fixed situation where you choose a starter, entree, and dessert. Every morsel of food was fresh-tasting and the presentation was stunning. The kitchen staff doesn't stop moving and just watching the process of the food being plated is a show in itself. If you can manage a reservation near the time for fireworks, DO IT! There is a private walkway where customers can stand and watch the fireworks from Magic Kingdom while the music from the show is piped in on speakers. This is an expensive venture, but if you can make it work, please do!

This was the second time dinning here. By far the best resturant at Disney World. We spent 2 christmas eves here. Our server this time was Ray and he was the best. The food was amazing. Outstanding. The view is just out of this world. Our table wasn't ready so we went to the lobby Steakhouse for a drink. It was very nice. We ate at Jiko the next night which was such a disappointed compared to this. Amazing resturant.

We went with some friends to California Grill a couple of nights ago. I honestly didn't know what to expect since I didn't even know about the restaurant. It was clear to me, since the moment we came up the elevator, this was going to be a great experience. We got a table next to the window that overlooks the Magic Kingdom castle... I will say that it was already a gorgeous and unique view. I was expecting the traditional "Disney food," but to my surprise, it was excellent. We got there at 7:30pm, and we didn't know that night the fireworks show was until 10:pm, so the server did an amazing job by pacing the food out so we could enjoy dessert watching the fireworks, The highlight of the food was the drinks, the truffle ravioli and the main entree (the steak with potatoes and broccoli). After the amazing view and atmosphere at the restaurant, the service, and the food, it's definitely worth the money. For a special occasion, anniversary, or casual upscale dinner, it's the perfect spot.

The Bar Tender/waitress Christine was the highlight of our anniversary. The best service ever. The food was excellent and fantastic place to watch fireworks.

We arrived at 4:45pm on a Friday without reservations, checked in on the 2d floor as stand-by, first on the list. Maybe a 30 minute wait. Took the elevator to the 15th floor and sat at the bar. Our Bartender was Clinta, a charming man with great skills. We each ordered a cocktail (Newgroni and a standard Lemon Drop). Both were excellent. Then we ordered off the menu - they have a Prix Fix but offer a-la-carte as well. Only complaint- there are no prices for the a-la-carte. I had the lamb, she had the scallops. Both amazing. Then we ordered coffee (french press!) and they comp'ed us a raspberry genache (it was my birthday). Again, flawless. Excellent atmosphere, excellent food, high prices but worthwhile

It's a rare occasion I feel it's required to write a really special review, California grill earned one. Starting with the reservation it couldn't have been easier to set one, you simply go into your Disney app and set it there, done! (They had a full house on a weekend night so I would be proactive with setting one). We arrived to the front desk to check in, very kind and helpful and sent us up almost immediately via the private elevator to the restaurant, this is such a nice touch I've seen only a handful of times but absolutely love it We requested a window seat which they accommodated for us for the big show, they said "if we can we will" and they delivered, a spectacular view of the kingdom! The best part of this experience was our server, Dale. Let me tell you about him. He was such a kind, funny, respectful, accommodating human we simply adored him! He spoke to everyone in a way that we would clearly respond well with and he was very through with the menu, giving us the highlights and recommendations across the board. He was incredibly attentive and honestly so thoughtful, unfortunately one of our party members is pregnant and felt ill during our experience, he asked kindly if we would like our meals to be stopped until she returned so that we could all enjoy together, just wow! The food, was delicious. Every bite was so good none of us wanted our plates to clear. My personal favorite was the surf and turf roll, just YUM! I chose the filet mignon which was very tasty (the scalloped potatoes were also so good), the meal was then topped off with a white chocolate crème brûlée which was better than any, I have had in my life. Seriously, try it!! The drinks were perfect around the table, my old fashioned had my do three rounds they were so inviting and the rest of the table enjoyed their variety share of drinks! The big kicker to come here is for the fireworks show at 9pm at the parks. Around 830 they come to the table and let you know they will dim the lights in the house to see the display the best, they cue the music to follow the show and let you spend time with your group to enjoy without behind bothered. Also, if you enjoy the boom of the show, there is two areas to walk out to on top of the resort to enjoy the show, just, spectacular. Yes this isn't a cheap meal, but it's well worth the money. You absolutely will not regret it. Another shout out to Dale, thank you for being a serious contribution to our experience and know that when we return we will look for you!!

We came for the food, not the fireworks, but had we known better, we would have stayed for the Chinese Explosions over the Magic Kingdom. Service was fast and friendly. Got a red wine flight with the wagu steak. Second time I've had wagu and I'm here to tell you, it's not worth it. Regardless, glad I tried it. Very good, just not over the top as you would expect for the cash you're laying out. Wife had the scallops which were very good. Desserts were great as well. The views from the top of the Contemporary are nothing to sneeze at. Glad we came.

I had such a great experience at the California Grill! The parking lot was pretty full and we had to have a reservation to get into the lot because they are so close to the parks. We checked into our reservation on the second floor and had a private elevator take us up to the reservation when they were ready for us. We were seated at a window seat which was super nice! We couldn't quite see the castle from there though, so we had to go out onto the balcony for a better view. We went a little later in the night so we could catch the firework show at the Magic Kingdom. It was amazing! You couldn't have had a better view anywhere else in the area! The fireworks were right above the castle and it was so pretty! Once the show was over, we went back inside to enjoy the rest of our meal. They timed everything out so that we could watch the show and then have our food come out, so it wasn't just sitting there the whole time getting cold! The menu was a flat rate, 3 course meal. There were items like the Wagu that was more expensive, but you had to read the fine print to notice it. Everything was delicious and very well plated. I really enjoyed every aspect of this place and would love to go back when I'm at Disney!

I'll give the credit where it's do the view is pretty nice. If you like looking at a theme park and its resorts. The service is good. Is it the best experience ever. Not by far. Complained there was a hair on a dish that clearly wasn't mine (balding blond). He acted like oh might have been from the a/c or someone.not him. Which never said it was. Just that wanted food with out hair in it. Food was good but no longer that amazing meal this place was known for. The flavor of it the amount you get is no where near the price point. I miss the days you were amazed by the flavor that wow factor you got from the food here. Now it's just ok. If you want a great dinner with an amazing view look sadly elsewhere.

Another excellent meal at California Grill watching the fireworks. Rachael continues to be the best host for the evening making the experience as best as possible. Thanks again for another great night!

We were lucky enough to be at the Contemporary just as the restaurant opened and got seats at the bar. This was to be the first stop on our monorail crawl. Our bartender Ray was a pleasure and at his suggestion, we ordered two blackberry sour mocktails and one blackberry sour. We watched him muddle the huge blackberries and mix our drinks with a homemade sour lemonade. Wow! They were great! There was a small appetizer menu, a couple of sushi rolls and a sushi combo. The one that stood out to us was a short rib wonton. There were 4 on the dish. The presentation was very pretty and the taste was outstanding! We enjoyed the atmosphere, food and drink. The great service was a plus. We will remember this stop for our next visit!

It's one of those restaurants that you have to experience at least once if you're an avid disney goer. It's pricey but it's worth it. From the views, to the special deck to view the fireworks, and the food and service...it's really a luxury experience. The steak is so good, when it's available. The menu changes, but everything you get, you will be pleased with. They do have a nice sushi selection as your 1st course option. The desserts selections are always fantastic. I wish i could just have one of everything. If you're a drink connoisseur this is a place to go for some cocktails and high quality drinks! The service is white glove. I noticed the last couple years, they aren't strict on dress code, i wish they were cause it really just goes with the atmosphere to dress proper. And not your straight from a long day in the parks raggedy tshirt and dirty sneakers. It's an eyesore for such an elegant and elevated restaurant.

A prix fix menu I didn't hate. Holly was our server and she was fantastic. I had the sushi for a starter. The rolls were a little small but it worked out where it was very filling. My mom had the rapini pizza. I had a bite and it was delicious. For my main entree I had the grouper. I loved the beans and lardons at the bottom of the dish. Very flavorful and very filling. The dessert was meh. The peanut butter and banana torte...I didn't care for it. In fact I wish a plate of berries was offered as an option. 4.5 stars

It had been quite some time since my last visit to California Grill, and I must admit, I was a bit hesitant about trying the prix fixe menu after having such a memorable experience with their ala carte offerings years ago. However, I am thrilled to report that California Grill, with its unique blend of traditional and innovative dishes, continues to exceed expectations. I started with the Sonoma Goat Cheese Raviolo, which turned out to be a generously sized, delectable ravioli swimming in a delicate broth that really allowed its flavors to shine. For my main course, I loved the visually stunning and incredibly flavorful Pinoli-Herb-Crusted Lamb. To cap off the meal, I ordered the Lemon Mousse and Olive Oil-Poppy Seed Cake, a bright and airy delight. The service was impeccable, and it was wonderful that they have always been willing to reserve your table while you step out to enjoy the fireworks. The views never get old here either! I need to come here more often!

The food was delicious. There were some nice healthy choices on the menu. The vegetables had a nice balance of flavor and healthy benefits. Our waiter was attentive but not overbearing. The ambiance to comfortable but classy. The restaurant was very clean and elegant.

I came here with some work colleagues who had made some reservations and wanted to watch the fireworks and what an absolute treat! It is a pre set menu but there are tons of options. Overwhelming the staff was amazing. Our waiter was so nice and welcoming and had the perfect amount of chat. He even gave advice on the menu items and it was truly great with the fireworks as the cherry on top! Their bread service is also delicious and that was unexpected. For the starter I got the spicy Kazan roll and this was truly the star. Our whole table loves it. For the main I got the grouper which was a giant piece and super flaky. For the dessert I got the creme brulee and just wow My only complaint is price but to be honest I didn't mind because work was paying haha. Overall great!

Food was amazing! We were not expecting a price fix menu, but our choices were fantastic. Also, we expected pressure to eat and get out. We were wrong. Our reservation was at 5:35 pm. They were already behind and we were not seated until after 6pm. The bread service and intentionally eating more slowly helped us stay long enough to see the Fireworks. It was an absolutely unbelievable experience to view the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the roof top restaurant. They lowered the lights and even played the accompanying music soundtrack so that we didn't miss a thing....except the crowds! We will definitely visit California Grill for dinner every Disney trip from now on.

I was a little hesitant coming to California Grill because I'm from California, but it seemed like a really popular restaurant based on reviews. I came here on a solo dinner at 5 pm on a Wednesday. Its on the top floor of the contemporary and had a great view of the Magic Kingdom. The menu is a pre-fix, so you have to get multiple course. I didn't mind the pre-fix menu because everything sounded really good. I ended up going with the Spicy Kazan Roll roll, Fire Roasted venison, and the Fall Spiced Panna Cotta. For drinks, I got the blackberry sour. You also get bread with your dinner and it comes with a very delicious olive oil and sun dried tomato spread which i could eat for days. The Spicy Kazan Roll roll was really fresh with the crab, but I couldnt really taste any of the other seafood. The fireball sauce isnt too spicy, but could also overpower the sushi if you use too much. It was just okay. The Fire Roasted venison was cooked perfectly, medium rare, and had around 4 cuts of meat. It was a well balanced dish with a little bit of sweet from the apple and creamy from the butternut squash. I really enjoyed this dish. The panna cotta was also really good, but it was a little bit of random components on the plate. The blackberry sour was addicting and sweet enough where you could probably down one too many. Overall the service was on point, the food was decent, and the views were amazing. Price wise, its pretty steep with it being $89 per person, so you wouldnt come here that often, but its nice for some kind of special celebration. Highly recommend the experience if you can get a reservation.

BEST dining experience so far in Orlando. California Grill has spectacular views of Disney's Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary Resort. $89 Prefixe 3 course meal. Apps were ok, loved the venison entree, but the desserts were spectacular! Especially the creme brulee! Our server Nicola was so engaging with recommendations of things to do around Disney. Really made the experience celebrating our anniversary special. Tip: come back for view of Happily Ever After fireworks at 8pm.

Was there Tuesday evening 6/10, very much enjoyed. Though they now have a relatively "fixed" 3-course menu, there are nontheless several selections to choose. The salad selection as an appetizer was of various mixed beets, was surprisingly exquisite. Her Pinoli-Herb Crusted Lamb was delicious, and my Cast Iron-grilled Pork Tenderloin was very good. Server Jessica was terrific. California Grill still a place to go for sure. PS Only thing was kinda disappointed in the firworks actually. Don't recall it being so far off to a side as it is now, and the Castle was barely lit. But, really went for the dining anyway.

The quality of their filet mignon and other dishes has came down and they have taken away their best appetizers from their restaurant menu yet they require each person order a $89 pre fix menu. Now if you want their crowd favorite short rib wontons, you have to pay an additional cost to get it from the lounge menu ON TOP of that $89. We wont be back until their menu has changed and their quality has come back. Appetizers: Sonoma Goat cheese ravioli - This was very good. The goat cheese wasn't too sharp (I don't like goat cheese but I enjoyed this). It was subtle and creamy, sauce was nice and a hint of sweetness with a taste of saffron, ravioli shell was perfectly cooked. This was a good appetizer. Rapini pizza - Don't waste your time with this. It tasted like a standard pizza, and not a very good one at that. They used to have this duck pizza that was amazing. The quality of the cheese and everything else on this pizza was completely unforgettable. Cascade Roll- This was pretty good. Lots of different flavors and the salmon and tuna were fresh. Mango sweetness was a wonderful flavor that was incorporated , herbs, nothing fishy or smelly, very good. It was 8 pieces but they were all tiny. Main entree Filet mignon - 8oz, nice flavor, simple seasoning but the meat was tough and we had to send it back because it wasn't cooked to the temperature we requested. Quality was ok, nothing like it was when they had the 50th anniversary menu. Won't be back until this improves. Also, the side was a squash. I asked for au gratin potatoes or mashed potatoes but they had NONE. Really?? All fine dining should at the very least have mashed potatoes when they serve a steak, or if they want to be amazing, have potatoes au gratin as an option. Very disappointed have squash as a side. They also didn't have any worthy vegetables as an option like broccoli asparagus or baked potato. I posted a video of all this on you tube "disneyworld vacationer" if you want a visual of this. Dessert Valrhona Chocolate Ganache Torte - This was basically dark chocolate, not hard , not a cake, somewhere in between. Nothing special White Chocolate Cherry Crème Brûlée - My God this was AMAZING and Im not a creme brûlée guy. One of the best desserts Ive had in my life. You know the croissants that have a rich almond filling inside? It had an aftertaste of that after you taste the creamy creme brulee. This was unbelievable. Get this! And dont worry, the cherry is just garnish underneath it on the plate (who the heck wants cherry jelly flavored creme brulee??) All in all, not worth it, wont be back until there is changes to the menu. Especially if they are demanding people pay $90 pre fix (It doesn't even include soft drinks and tea!!!). Bring the prices down, bring the quality up, and don't throw your best appetizers behind an additional charge (short rib wontons). The table next to us gave several things back from the low quality so we weren't the only ones feeling this way. Atmosphere is amazing, one of the best at Disney. Fireworks view is beautiful. I wish the lighting was alittle dimmer throughout the dinner, not just during fireworks. Staff service was standard and they were in a rush (Im used to amazing service here previous trips), restaurant is extremely clean. Do better Disney, I know you can and you did before.

Another fantastic time in the books! Yes, this place is spending, but my goodness what an absolute treat. We came to celebrate a special occasion opted for the wine pairings with our meals. Everything was absolutely delicious. By the way, you gotta get seated with Walter. He is not only a food lover but very knowledgeable, attentive, and his recommendations were solid. He made our special night even extra memorable and enjoyable. On this visit, the menu had changed since the summer, but everything was so wonderfully prepared. I opted for the pomegrate salad , their Venison entree, and Panna Cotta. It was a true form of art because with every bite, I was being transported to Fall. So many amazing flavors beautifully crafted in every bite.

A wonderful dinner with a lovely view. Came here about an hour earlier than our reservation and they let us through after waiting for a couple minutes. They gave us pins for our celebration because we didn't have any yet, which was really nice. They brought us to our table right after we got off the elevator and we were seated near the windows, which had a beautiful view of Disney Magic Kingdom. This was a prefix menu where there were options. We made our choices and we got served our food in a timely manner. The waiter there was really nice. We had finished a bit before the fireworks show, so we went outside onto the balcony to watch the show from the restaurant outdoor area.

We lucked out with making a same day reservation (tip: if there are no openings available, keep checking back as people cancel plans all the time, especially until their two hour window to cancel before being charged as a no show. Admittedly our time was for 5:05pm as times during fireworks would be much more competitive). You go up the escalator, check in at the desk, and then once you receive a text that your table is ready you go up the designated elevator for this restaurant, on the 15th floor. We were seated next to the window, for a great bird's eye view of the Magic Kingdom. If you're not here during fireworks, you can bring your receipt to come back for viewing. Both of us have food allergies, which Disney was able to accommodate with their typical allergy menus. With various limits for dairy and shellfish we had some limited options but were still able to each find courses that we liked. After the bread starter (with butter, along with a garlic and chive topping) I had the cascade roll, oak filet of beef (SO tender! They provided a steak knife but it almost wasn't necessary. Also I ordered medium and thought it looked overdone - see photo - but it was perfect inside and tasted great), and the chocolate ganache (delicious, but SO rich...almost like a chocolate fudge, or similar consistency to a cold stick of butter). Husband ordered the nigiri plate, ahi tuna, and the peanut butter banana torte. With his dairy allergy he usually can't have many desserts and was thrilled to have an option that wasn't sorbet or just berries. I will say that we made an effort to dress up, knowing it was once of the Disney fine dining restaurants and wanting to be in dress code. But a dress code (aside from no swimwear) is NOT ENFORCED here, so while you can dress up you'll probably be surrounded by people coming from the parks in their shorts, sneakers, and tank tops. We saw a lot of kids there (and saw highchairs available) but we wouldn't bring our daughter here; we feel like the cost and fanciness would be wasted on her and would rather bring her to character dining (love breakfast at Toppolino's Terrace!). Everything was a prix fixe menu, choosing a starter, entree, and dessert for an adult price of $89/person. You pay extra for drinks. We added two old fashioneds and two non-alcoholic mixed drinks, and it came out to $250 including tax and tip. Wonderful food and service if you want to splurge, and probably epic if you can be there for fireworks.

This was my first meal at Disney, and I'm so happy it was! It was a pre fixe meal, so I'm glad I got to try lots of different options! Our server was so sweet, and has worked at California Grill for quite some time, so he gave us recommendations and told us what's stayed on the menu since he's been here, I'm so glad we took his recommendations! I started off with the heirloom tomato salad. That was better than I expected. The tomatoes were perfectly ripe and the burrata tasted fresh as well. It didn't feel too heavy, but that had to have been my favorite. The pork was recommend by the server. It was a bit on the dryer side, but still tasted pretty good! My boyfriend got the filet, it was SO TENDER. Definitely a staple. As for dessert, I got the chocolate cake. It was so so rich, that I couldn't finish it. It might've tasted better with the wine pairing, but i don't drink, so I wasn't able to finish it. Overall, service, environment, and food were all great, and I'd love to come back and visit in the future!

Very beautiful environment, privileged view of the Magic Kingdom park. Reasonable food, not so surprising. Excellent service.

Upon check in for the restaurant the staff seemed overwhelmed. We arrived at 7:15 for a 7:45 reservation and we had to wait in line to eventually to take the elevator to the restaurant because they told us there was no room in the restaurant for us to wait for our table. We finally were all herded into the elevator at 7:50 and were not seated until 8:15. FYI the restaurant was not at capacity when we arrived. The restaurant had a pre fixe menu which gave us few options. The restaurant says on its website that a certain dress code is required. Let me say that is a joke. We saw folks dressed in gym shorts, torn jeans, sneakers and tee shirts. For a supposedly upscale venue this was surprising. The food overall was very good and the waitress was excellent! We had utilized the valet service for dinner and then were charged a daily rate of $42.00 and we still tipped the valet as well. The valet charge should be waved when dining at the California Grill.

Great atmosphere, especially if you want a view of the wonderful fireworks at night. The food was just so-so, I was underwhelmed. We had: Sardinian Pizza - Way too big for an app, wish they focused on quality rather than quantity. Taste was ok. Sonoma Goat Cheese Raviolo - Ok, wish it had more broth/sauce. Fire-roasted Venison - Perfectly done! Florida Black Grouper - Fish was overcooked and underseasoned, and cassolette was good. Chef's Selections of California Cheeses - Good White Chocolate Cherry Crème Brûlée - Not recommended, very obvious they prepped it days ago because it tasted stale and straight out of the fridge.

So I noticed it's been 5 years since I wrote my last review for here. We have been back in that time just didn't do a review. Lots has changed in 5 years so it's time. First off we did not have reservations. We just walked up and we were ok with bar seating. Got one right away at the bar. Chilled and had some amazing drinks and relaxed. Sitting at the bar you can eat off the bar menu or even get a price fixed to share. Great option now that the took away the bar tables.

This review is for the lounge/bar seating at California Grill. This is located in the Contemporary resort on the 14th floor. The view here is beyond magical and gives you a wide eye view of Magic Kingdom, and the surrounding resorts. We will definitely have to come back here to have an actual dinner, which is a price fix meal and definitely on the higher end. This restaurant 100% needs a reservation BUT if you want to sit at the bar, you have the opportunity to do that. The check in desk is located on the 4th floor, you would go to the check in desk and ask if there are any bar seating available. Based on how busy they are you might be able to get in or you might need to wait a little bit. The first time we had to wait about 20 minutes and the second time we got in immediately. It really depends on the busiest of the bar. Once you get called you take the elevator to the top floor, the 14th floor and again are greeted by more cast members. They have your name on the ticket and will take you to the bar for your seat. The bar is pretty long and has about 20-25 seats. They do have a completely full bar with beer, wine, and all the liquors. Their wine list is pretty extensive as well. They have a few specialty drinks as well. The first time we went here I had the blueberry lemon drop martini. I absolutely love lemon drop martini and adding the blueberry was a nice added touch. It was really delicious. This last time I had the Ice Wine Martini. I had eyed it the first time and knew I was getting it the next time we went. It was so delicious and just a really pretty drink. My husband ordered the maple bourbon old fashion and he absolutely loved this. They also have a small bar menu featuring food. They had a few sushi rolls, a charcutier board, pizza and then my absolute personal favorite, the braised short rib wontons. These came with 4 steamed wontons stuffed with braised beef. I literally cannot tell you how wonderful these were. I would actually go back here day after day just to order these. They had so much flavor, were cooked perfectly and were just absolutely delicious. They also had a special our bartender told us we could order. This was a goat cheese ravioli. This was one giant ravioli and was full of goat cheese with a broth over the top and a specialty mushroom. This was also delicious; my only wish was it had more than one ravioli. It was a very large ravioli, but it was so good, and I was sharing with my husband that I wanted more. I think we ordered well! If you order food, they also ask if you want the bread service, which is homemade sourdough bread served with a tomato jam and olive oil. This was really good, but the bread was a little hard and cold. I would have preferred warm bread, but I understand that they probably make large batches, so they are ready to go. All in all this is a fantastic place. If I am basing this off appetizers and drinks, I cannot even imagine how amazing the meal would be. We will definitely be making reservations next year for dinner. There is a thought that children are not allowed here but that is not true. For the price, I personally would not be bringing children but we are also at Walt Disney World. I would expect to see children here. I'm sure the price is different and have children's friendly items for the little ones. It is a little fancier, so they do encourage you to dress up and I did not see one person in shorts or jeans. I really feel the views, the food, the drinks really make this a fantastic place to dine. Even if you are not there during firework time, you can come back and go out to the patio deck. Just keep your receipt. Even if you just sat at the bar, you can come back and utilize the rooftop viewing of Magic Kingdom fireworks. This is a must stop!!!

First time ever at this bar and it was absolutely enjoyable!! The bartender was great and they were quick and was nice to chat with them while we were there. The drink were out of this world and even though it was a wait to get to the bar the wait was well worth it.. The bar is located at the top of the Contemporary Resort and Walt Disney World. The view is spectacular in where you literally can see all I've Disney World while you are up there..

At the contemporary Disney resort that is among the hardest, to get into restaurants, because of the amazing view of the Magic Kingdom. Wasn't the biggest fan that was required to get Pricey three course prefix menu. Would much rather have a La carte menu. but a view that can't be matched particularly for the fireworks display . I suspect that getting a dining reservation is hard to get for the 8 pm fireworks timeframe but they allow you to come back in the evening if you dine with them to watch on their balcony! Recommend the grouper as your entrée. Service is really great here! #disney #finedining #views

First off Clinta at the bar is a gem. I'd come here again just to hear his stories. Great Blanton's cocktail. Great service, free champagne for our anniversary. The raviolo was outstanding. The steak my husband had said it was one of the best. The goat cheese polenta was outstanding. The pork was good too. The desserts were unmemorable. I honestly would just sit at the bar and have cocktails raviolo and some goat cheese polenta and call it a day. I'd order ala carts at the bar

The servers are so friendly. We had Lisa, and she was so kind and helpful. And her recommendations were terrific. I enjoyed my meal so much. The ambiance is beautiful. You can see the fireworks from the restaurant.

Took my family to the California grill and it was nothing but great service and great food. The view alone is amazing. I always come back to this restaurant because it's one of my favorites. Hard to make reservations because it books up so fast but worth it! This restaurant is on top of the Disney Contemporary Resort in the 15th floor. You can always stay to watch Magic kingdom's fireworks and the music from the fireworks display does sincronice to the restaurant it's truly beautiful.

Located inside Contemporary resort. We wanted light dinner so we sat at the bar and ordered few small dishes to share. Our bartender was so helpful and friendly. All their sushi and sashimi dishes were excellent. Their truffle pizza was delicious. Everyone in our group was happy including our little guy with kids meal which included three course meal. Btw, they take food allergies very seriously here so if you have food allergies or sensitivities, let them take care of you. Highly highly recommend.

Service: 8 out of 5. From check in, to the table and throughout, our server was amazing! The food service would be a 1 out of 5. I had a bad feeling after watching the fireworks on the terrace that the food service would be very slow since there were so many dishes on the counter not being taken to tables. Again, this level of fine dining and no communication to move food to table is just sad. Food: Fine dining having "off nights" at a place like this isn't supposed to happen, ideally, but it was off putting. 3 course meal. Started with the spicy Kazan roll. What spice? It was a mayo with probably sriracha as the spice mixed together. It was sad. Had to actually use soy sauce to give it some flavor. The surf and turf sounds fancy but that also lacked any flavor. The spicy sauce was just sriracha. Do Floridians think this is top notched hot sauce?! Pork tenderloin and pork belly as the main dish. Do chefs stop tasting their own food before plating? The pork tenderloin was under seasoned and the mustard sauce was just meh. It was cooked well though since I wanted medium. The pork belly was way beyond over salted. I couldn't finish it. The texture was very soft. Had a taste of my friend's beef. Absolute no for me. It has a weird taste that almost tasted gamey. The venison was the best dish at the table. It was cooked well and perfectly seasoned. Not gamey at all. Chocolate ganache for dessert. It was whatever at this point. My friend has the crème brûlée and that was disappointing. The top wasn't torched to be hard and it just tasted like flan, the most expensive flan. The cheese plate are for folks who love strong cheeses. That was something! For $89, I had too high of expectations of this place and was utterly disappointed. Dine at your own risk or lower your expectations to eating at a fast food joint standards and maybe it will be the best food you've ever had.

I used to think Topolino's was the #1 restaurant on WDW Property... But California Grill now takes that spot -- or at the very least, is an arguable contender. This was one of the best meals from start to finish I've ever had at Disneyworld, including our amazing server. Let's start with the only "negative": the $30 sushi roll. While it was good, I wouldn't get it again. The ravioli is delicious (like, REALLY delicious), but I wish you got one more. It's just one giant ravioli and if you split it with 1-2 other people, you really just get a bite. The braised short rib wontons are also very good, but the ravioli is the winner in my eyes and my tastebuds. The filet was cooked perfectly to a medium-rare. And the desserts... oh my goodness, the desserts were out of this world. The creme brûlée and the peanut butter torte were insane. It's one of those times where you take the tiniest of bites just to make the dish last just a tiny bit longer. Yes, it's expensive, but when you put into consideration the service, the beautiful view and the end-to-end quality dining experience, I truly think this is worth every penny.

Finally got to experience Capital Grille! The food did not disappoint. We started with the goat cheese ravioli and surf and turf roll. Both amazing starters. The ravioli had hints of truffle in the sauce, made for an excellent dipping sauce for our leftover bread. Surf and turf roll was also very good. For the entrees my boyfriend enjoyed the filet and I got the scallops. Both were great, I wish there were a few more scallops, but overall both dishes were cooked great. Finally we finished with cherry and dark chocolate and lemon cake desserts; both were good summer desserts. Food and views here are worthy of five stars, the service was good but didn't go above and beyond to be worth of five stars.

After frequenting Disney's California Grill for the past 20 years, usually four or more times a year, we were sadly disappointed lately. Not only disappointed, but embarrassed. We took friends about three weeks ago and we all looked at each other at the end of the meal and had the same basic thought. $400+ for something that a McDonald's cheeseburger and fries would have equated to. Essentially, we were all still hungry at the end of the meal and disappointed in how it was presented. I swear the pork tenderloin was less than 4 oz. My wife had the fillet mignon and even it was smaller than ever. Literally, more than half the plate was empty! Years ago, it was known as being a great sushi place. Today, the sushi bar is closed. You can MAYBE find one real sushi option as part of the fixed price menu - which I'm not a fan of fixed price menus by the way. We used to go because the service is fantastic, which it still is. However, the menu has degraded significantly. What surprised the heck out of everyone in my party was how small the portions have become over the past year and a half. What we used to get was an appetizing meal with portions that were large enough to make you feel satisfied, if not on the verge of feeling full. Our last visit was HALF the portions we've received in years past. Such that the plate almost looked empty. Even the sushi portion (of the truly only sushi appetizer on the menu) was almost the diameter of a nickel (really, smaller than a 25 cent piece), and half the roll at five pieces out of what would usually be a 10 to 12 slice roll. Remember, we've been going here for more than 20 years (starting in 2001). We know the California Grill and love it. BUT! I hate to say it, it's not really worth it anymore. Sure the service is great, the view is astounding, and it's Disney. But we're not going again any time soon. And we used to so look forward to going - and now, that anticipation and joy in getting a reservation is spoiled by someone's cost cutting measures. Stupid. We're trying Steakhouse 71 again later this week. Hopefully, they haven't cut back on what they serve. The best steaks we have ever had are at the Steakhouse 71 restaurant.

There is so many great things about this place: the service was amazing, it's beautiful inside, you get a view of the fireworks in Magic Kingdom and they actually pipe the music into the restaurant and the cocktails were good too. I gave this place a three based on the food. They have a pre fixed menu that you choose from. For the price and what they offer the food should be better. All off the food was very underwhelming. Now I still love this place but I would try and get a seat at the bar (they have a la cart dishes there) and get an appetizer and a drink and watch the fireworks which is very cool. Overall I wouldn't do dinner here again.